Fab Couples: Wisconsin

Adam & Danielle Rabe

Adam Rabe, owner, Dirt Road Vineyards; Danielle Rabe, owner, Meggy Moo’s Dairy Ripple

Homebase: Walworth

How did your love story begin? Adam: Our story began many years before I knew there was going to be more to it. Danielle was an under classmen, and I was a senior. I never spoke one word to her in high school but remember always noticing her when she was near. It seemed my attraction and pull towards her started in the most natural way. Some years later, we were formally introduced through mutual friends. Although at the time we were with different partners, we seemed to have an instant bond and comfort level with each other. More years passed, and we found each other hanging with the same friends. The summer of 2009 came and the frequency of calls I received from Danielle started to increase.  She was always inviting me to events and gatherings. I felt like I was being hunted but didn’t really believe it. I always thought she was out of my league. Well, I finally started to get it and asked her out on a date.  Our first date was simple. I took her to my favorite fish fry pub and out to a local jazz club. We dated for the next few months but I knew a road block in our relationship loomed. I was just starting out in the wine industry and had a contract to work at a winery in New Zealand for six months. We never made a formal commitment to each other before I left. I decided to stay in touch and try to continue with what we started when I returned. It wasn’t but a few days into my trip that I wished I had brought her with me. I prayed that I hadn’t made a big mistake and lost all chances of ever being with her again. When I returned from my six months in New Zealand, she was waiting for me. We have never looked back.

Danielle: It is true; I pursued him. I knew early on he was the one for me. I even waited six months for him while he was in New Zealand not really knowing how he felt. Once he was back, we were never apart.

Favorite thing about one another? Danielle: I love what an amazing dad he is. His calm temperament and patience are qualities that I have always been drawn to. He is also a very social person, and I love that about him.

Adam: Our differences is what attracts me to her. She’s very direct, organized and driven. Before her, I might have put off until tomorrow what could be done today. Now she pushes me to always finish what I’ve started. I have also never seen a better more caring mother. 

Favorite date night? Our favorite date night starts with a nice dinner accompanied by a nice bottle of wine. We usually cannot decide what to order and end up ordering way too much food because we want to try everything. After dinner, a concert or any live music is a perfect ending to the night.

Favorite tradition you have as a couple? We love to travel together. Both of our jobs allow us time off in the winter. Sometimes, we travel far; sometimes, it is just a local get away. We almost never travel back to the same place. We’ve learned how to become excellent travel partners and how to navigate the most adverse situations. We also love launching a canoe in one of the many lakes or rivers with a couple of fishing poles and a few cold brews.

What does your happily ever after look like? Danielle: My happily ever after includes a healthy and happy family. I hope for Adam and I to both have success in our businesses while being able to spend quality time with our family. Kids that have grown up in a loving home that are now on their own raising their own beautiful families is the ultimate happily ever after. 

Adam: My ideal happy place would be owning and operating a fully bio-dynamic vineyard winery. We would teach our children to be good stewards of the land. All of us would learn to nourish the land and animals that nourish us. I then would love to see our children grow up start their own families, hopefully imparting the same values we imparted on them. Also, retirement in a Caribbean beach house wouldn’t be so bad.   

One Comment

  1. I adore these two amazing people!!